A MAYOR has hit back at critics who slammed his decision to give a character reference to a drug dealer.
Naeem Ashraf, Brierfield's mayor, defended his action in writing a character reference for Jhangir Akbar, 38, of Railway View, Brierfield, who admitted supplying heroin and crack cocaine at Burnley Crown Court.
Mr Ashraf, who played on the same football team as Akbar, said: "I simply pointed to the fact that Jhangir Akbar had been a good member of the community and that we were shocked at his behaviour.
"At no stage does this mean that I support his actions."
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